Suspension system for heavy and vocational vehicles

Abstract

A vehicle suspension system includes a first trailing arm assembly and a second trailing assembly each including a mounting bracket adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame and a trailing arm member pivotably coupled to the associated mounting bracket and adapted to be operably coupled to an axle member, wherein the trailing arm members each include an aperture extending therein, wherein the aperture has a relatively constant cross-sectional configuration along a depth thereof. The vehicle suspension system further includes a torsional member extending between the first and second trailing arm members and frictionally secured within the apertures thereof, wherein the torsional member has a relatively constant cross-sectional configuration along a length thereof that is received within the apertures of the trailing arms.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 177,874 filed May 13, 2009, entitled SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR HEAVY AND VOCATIONAL VEHICLES, the specification of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a drive axle suspension system for heavy vehicles which has been optimized for reduced weight, reduced part count and increased durability.[0004]2. Technical Background[0005]Various suspension systems utilizing air springs have been developed for semi-tractor trailers and other heavy vehicles. These systems are typically designed to control the position of the chassis relative to an associated axle and to cushion any movement of the axle with respect to the chassis frame. Although these systems provide excellent chassis control over a wide range of loading conditions, conventional air spring systems typically do n...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]Yet another aspect of the present invention is a vehicle suspension system that comprises a first mounting bracket adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame member, a first trailing arm member pivotably coupled to the first mounting bracket, a second mounting bracket adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame, a second trailing arm member pivotably coupled to the second mounting bracket, and an axle member extending between the first and second trailing arm members. The vehicle suspension system further comprises a first axle mounting assembly securing the axle member to the first trailing arm member, and a second axle mount

Problems solved by technology

Although these systems provide excellent chassis control over a wide range of loading conditions, conventional air spring systems typically do not offer acceptable resistance to vehicle roll, as is often experienced when the vehicle turns, nor do they offer acceptable resistance to lateral shifting of the vehicle.

While specialized components have been added to air spring systems to reduce roll and lateral shift, many of these components add significant weight and cost and maintenance to the associated suspension system without greatly reducing the roll and lateral shift.

Further, many of these components include complicated designs that are not only expensive to manufacture, but are also difficult to install or replace should damage to the component or related equipment occur.

This particular assembly requires large securing bolts adapted to withstand significant torsional and sheering forces, and further requires the replacement or retapping of a trailing arm should the threads within the bolt receiving aperture become damaged or worn as well as maintenance burden.

Images